Presenter Information

Mentor 1

Bonita Klein-Tasman

Location

Union Wisconsin Room

Start Date

29-4-2016 1:30 PM

End Date

29-4-2016 3:30 PM

Description

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder that affects 1 in 3000 births and is caused by a mutation on the neurofibromin gene on chromosome 17. NF1 is a highly variable condition characterized by elevated rates of difficulties in executive functioning, attention, and emotional/social functioning. Previous research has indicated that children with NF1 experience higher overall anxiety than the normative population. This study seeks to confirm these findings and to examine the contributions of age and gender. Elevated scores on the Social Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety, and Overall Total anxiety scales are expected. Parents of 23 children (11 males, 12 females) with NF1 ages 9 to 13 years (M=11.52, SD=1.52) completed the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS) to assess levels of anxiety. The SCAS consists of 40 questions, with 6 scales (Separation Anxiety, Social Phobia, Generalized Anxiety, Panic/Agoraphobia, Physical Injury Fears, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and an overall total score. No elevations were present on any scales based on mean performance. There were also no significant age effects or gender differences present. Although there were no significant elevations at the group level based on mean performance, 17.4% of participants showed elevated levels of Social Phobia (n=4), 8.7% of participants showed elevated levels of Generalized Anxiety (n=2) and 8.7% of participants showed elevated levels of Total Anxiety (n=2). Despite variability of anxiety scores between individuals, most children with NF1 did not show elevations on the majority of anxiety scales. Further research on anxiety in children with NF1 is needed, as these findings diverge from prior research.

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Apr 29th, 1:30 PMApr 29th, 3:30 PM

Examination of Anxiety Levels in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Union Wisconsin Room

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder that affects 1 in 3000 births and is caused by a mutation on the neurofibromin gene on chromosome 17. NF1 is a highly variable condition characterized by elevated rates of difficulties in executive functioning, attention, and emotional/social functioning. Previous research has indicated that children with NF1 experience higher overall anxiety than the normative population. This study seeks to confirm these findings and to examine the contributions of age and gender. Elevated scores on the Social Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety, and Overall Total anxiety scales are expected. Parents of 23 children (11 males, 12 females) with NF1 ages 9 to 13 years (M=11.52, SD=1.52) completed the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS) to assess levels of anxiety. The SCAS consists of 40 questions, with 6 scales (Separation Anxiety, Social Phobia, Generalized Anxiety, Panic/Agoraphobia, Physical Injury Fears, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and an overall total score. No elevations were present on any scales based on mean performance. There were also no significant age effects or gender differences present. Although there were no significant elevations at the group level based on mean performance, 17.4% of participants showed elevated levels of Social Phobia (n=4), 8.7% of participants showed elevated levels of Generalized Anxiety (n=2) and 8.7% of participants showed elevated levels of Total Anxiety (n=2). Despite variability of anxiety scores between individuals, most children with NF1 did not show elevations on the majority of anxiety scales. Further research on anxiety in children with NF1 is needed, as these findings diverge from prior research.